Apparatus governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway and the control thereof.



No. 887,288. PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

J. D. TAYLOR. APPARATUS GOVERNING THE PASSAGE 0F CARS 0R VEHICLES ALONG A RAILWAY AND THE CONTROL THEREOF.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

JOHN D. TAYLOR, OF EDGEWOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SWITCH AND SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

APPARATUS GOVERNING THE PASSAGE OF CARS OR VEHICLES ALONG A RAILWAY AND THE CONTROL THEREOF.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mejia, 1908.

Application filed September 14, 1904. Serial No. 224,421.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN D. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus Governing the Passage of Cars or Vehicles Along a Railway and the Control Thereof, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway. Such apparatus, whether mechanical or power operated, is controlled from levers comprised in what is known as interlocking machines. In these machines the levers, and especially the lever controlling power operated apparatus, are generally provided with mechanism known in the art as indicating mechanism, which mechanism is actuated to release its lever upon a complete operation of the apparatus controlled by the lever, thereby permitting the lever to be moved to its final position and release or look through what is known as mechanical interlocking other levers con trolling other similar apparatus. The operation of the indicating mechanism indi cates to the operator that the apparatus controlled by the lever has completely operated in response to a movement of the lever. here such apparatus comprises an electric motor, a prime source of current, generally a source of what is known as direct current is employed to energize the motors, and the supply of current to the motors is through circuit controllers operated by the levers of the interlocking machine. In this invention, the electro-magnetic motor of an indicating mechanism responds to a modification of a current proceeding from a prime source, the modification being preferably effected through the agency of the apparatus operating the switch or signal.

In the specific form of the invention herein illustrated the direct current for the motors of the several apparatus is rapidly reversed, and the electro-magnetic motor responds to the rapidly reversed or, asI shall hereinafter term it, alternating current to operate the indicating mechanism.

I will describe an apparatus comprising an electric motor, which apparatus is connected with a switch rail or rails, and a control therefor embodying my invention, and then oint out the novel features thereof in claims. t will be understood, however, that my invention is equally applicable to a signal device operated by an electric motor, a supply of current for which motor is under the control of a circuit controller and lever provided with an indicating mechanism comprising an electro-magnet or other analogous form of motor. The signal device and switch rail or rails are each a part or appliance for controlling way.

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatical View of certain devices comprised in orconnected with an apparatus or mechan ism for moving or shitting switch rails from one position to another, a circuit controller operated by a lever in an interlocking machine, an electro-magnetic device which is a system of controlling circuits, the said diagrammatic representation embodying my invention.

I have not illustrated any mechanism by means of which motion is communicated from an electric motor to the switch rails nor the mechanism of an interlocking machine. What is required for a mechanism for moving the switch rails is preferably a suitable gearing comprising an electro-magnetic clutch for connecting the motor armature with an ordinary switch and lock move ment. In the interlocking machine, the levers should have preliminary and final movements and be locked against final movement by an indication mechanism until the indication is received that the switch rails have moved in response to the preliminary movement of the lever. Instead of levers for operating the circuit controllers, push buttons or other equivalent devices may be employed. As all this appasuperfluous to illustrate it here.

In apparatus to which this invention relates, it is preferable for safety of operation to construct the indicating mechanism so that it cannot be affected by current from the prime source of ener y for the interlocking system no matter how the said ourcomprised in the indicating mechanism and ratus is well known to the art it would be,

the passage of cars or vehicles along a railrent may reach the indicating mechanism, and to provide a current for operating the indicating mechanism different from that which can flow from the prime source of energy. It is also preferable to avoid false indications from crossed wires, that'the indicating current should come from or be determined in character by a means located at or near the switch or signal to be operated. I attain this by so constructing the electromagnetic device of the indicating mechanism that it will not respond to the current from the prime source of energy, but will respond to a modification of the current from the prime source of energy. This modification should be something other than current strength and preferably is a modification of such character as to produce a different magnetic effect. I preferably convert or modify the current from the prime source of energy, which is a uni-directional or continuous current, to a current which is alternating in character, and which 1 shall designate an alternating current. As shown, this may be accomplished by a collector ring on the operating motor armature shaft and connected with one segment of the commutator as will hereinafter appear. The indicating mechanism may comprise any desired form of mechanical lock and an electro-magnetic device so constructed and arranged that the movable part thereof moves in response to the converted or modified current to operate the mechanical lock. These forms of electro-magnetic devices are well known and need not be described.

Referring now to the drawing, 1 designates a prime source of energy delivering preferably a uni-directional or continuous current, which may be in the form of a battery and will be so referred to hereinafter.

2 designates an electro-magnetic motor device comprised in the indication mechanism, so constructed as to have a movable part thereof respond to the indication current to operate the indication mechanism. The electro-magnetic motor device 2 will be hereinafter referred to as a magnet. This magnet has one of the terminals of its energizing coil joined to the middle point of the battery 1, while its other terminal is adapted to be alternately connected with the operating wires as will hereinafter appear.

4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11,12,13 and 14 designate fixed contacts supported on the frame of the interlocking machine.

3 and 7 designate movable contacts connected mechanically to the operating lever and together with the fixed contacts above mentioned constitute a circuit controller. A circuit controller is provided for each lever. At the final position of the lever in one of its movements in one direction, the movable contact 3 connects the fixed contacts 4 and 5 at the indicating position of the lever in its movement in the same direction the said con tact 3 connects the fixed contacts 9 and 5. At the indicating and final positions of the lever in its movements in a reverse direction,

said contact3 connects the fixed contacts 10 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25 and 2c designatefixed contacts.

17 and 23 designate movable contacts connected mechanically to some movable part of the switch and lock movement, and with the contacts 18, 19, etc. constitute a circuit controller. In the normal position of the switch, (see the drawing) the movable contact 17 connects the fixed contacts 18 and 21 and the movable contact 23 connects the fixed contacts 22 and 24. In the reverse position of the switch, the movable contact 17 connects the fixed contacts 20 and 21, and the movable contact 23 connects the fixed contacts 22 and 26. During nearly the entire time of movement of the switch from one position to the other, which said time begins before the lock bolt has been Withdrawn from the lock rod and ends after the lock bolt has entered the lock rod in the other position, the movable contact 17 connects the fixed contacts 19 and 21, and the movable contact 23 connects the fixed contacts 22 and 25.

15 and 16 designate the field coils of the electric motor comprised in the apparatus. Two field coils are used for the purpose of reversing the direction of rotation of the armature by sending the current through one or the other field coil. But three wires are used to operate the motor in both directions, that is, two operating wires and a common return, and these same wires are used in the indica tion circuits.

44 designates an energizing coil of an elec- .tro-magnetic clutch comprised in the gearing between the motor and the switch rails or the motor and signal blade. This clutch may be of any desired form well known in the art.

27 and 28 designate fixed contacts and 31 a movable contact which constitutes a circuit breaker, for breaking the operating circuit after the movement of the switch'rails and the giving of the indication is completed. 29 and 30 designate fixed contacts and 32 a movable contact whiclrconstitute a circuit breaker for breaking the indication circuit after the final movement of the lever and for the purpose of preventing the said circuit interfering with the next movement.

35 and 36 designate fixed contacts and 37 3 0 V while the brush 47 is connected at a point bea movable contact, which constitute a circuit closer for closing the starting circuit for the next movement.

The movable contacts 31, 32 and 37 are preferably moved in one direction by an electro-magnetic device 33, and in an'opposite direction by gravity or a spring 34. When moved by the electro-magnetic device 33, the movable contacts are locked in the position to which they have been so moved by an armature 40 dropping into a notch 39 of a rod 33, to which the movable contacts are connected and are so held until the magnet 42 of the armature 40 is energized and with draws the armature 40 from the notch 39. The magnet 42 is constructed so as to respond only to a direct current.

45 and 46 designate operating brushes oi' the motor, 49 a collector ring connected by a wire 50 with a segment 48 of the commutator, and 47 a brush which bears on the ring 49. The brushes 45 and 46, the collector ring 49 and its connection to the segment 48 of the armature and the brush 47, constitute a means for converting or modifying the battery current into a current alternating in character which is employed for operating the indication mechanism. The brushes 45, 46 are connected with the battery at points having the greatest difference of potential,

tween the points of connection of the brushes 45 and 46. Thus it will be seen that when the segment 48 alternately engages the brushes 45, 46, an alternating current will flow through the magnet 2 and thereby energize it. The collector ring and its connec tion with the segment 43, in conjunction with the motor armature and its brushes constitute in effect a pole changer whereby an alternating current may be produced from the battery 1. for operating the indicating mechanism. The idea of employing a prime source of continuous or unidirectional current and means for rapidly reversing the current from the prime source to operate an indicating mechanism for a lever controlling the operation of an apparatus for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, I consider broadly new, and especially do I consider it broadly new to rapidly reverse the current intended to operate or control motors included in such types of apparatus to operate the indication mechanism of levers controlling the operation of such motors.

Extending between the electric motor employed in connection with an apparatus for moving switch rails from one position to another, and the circuit controller operated by the lever in the interlocking machine con- ,trolling the operation of the apparatus are tus in moving the switch rails from one position to another. In the drawings the switch rails are in what is technically known as a normal position, and the apparatuses are in the positions they would occupy after a movement of the switch rails from a reverse position to a normal position. T 0 move the switch rails to their reverse position, the controlling lever is moved towards its reverse position until stopped by the mechanical lock of the indication mechanism. In this position of the lever the movable contact 3 connects the fixed contacts 10 and 11 and the movable contact 7 connects the fixed contacts 12 and 13. A circuit from the battery 1 is thereby closed so that current flows from said battery through wires 51, 53, contacts 10, 3, 11, operating wire 64, field coil 16, wire 66, contacts 21, 17, 18, wires 72, 75, magnet 42, wires 81, 82, contacts 36, 37, 35, wires 78, 76, energizing coil of clutch 44, wire 77, brush 45, armature of switch operating motor, brush 46, wire 85, and common return wires 86 and 87, back to battery 1. This current causes the armature to rotate, and energizes the electro-magnetic clutch to thereby have the armature to be connected with the gearing of the switch and lock movement. The contacts 17 and 23 commence movement simultaneously with the switch and lock movement and before the lock has been withdrawn from the lock rod they will have made contact with the contacts 19 and 25, respectively. The current will then pass from contact 17 through contact 19, wires 68, 73, magnet 33 to wire 76, thence through the energizing coil 44 of the clutch and the operating motor armature by the path above mentioned. This last named current continues to flow while the movable contact 17 touches the fixed contact 19 which it does until the switch has been reversed and the lock bolt has entered the lock rod in its reversed position. Flowing through the coils of the magnet 33 it energizes the said magnet and causes it to move the contact 31 so as to connect the fixed contacts 27 and 28, the contact 32 to make connection with the fixed contacts 29 and 30 and to move the contact 37 away from the fixed contacts 35 and 36. So soon as the movable contact 17 leaves the contact 18, current ceases to flow through the magnet 42, and its armature 40 is pulled into the notch 39 by the spring 41, thus retaining the movable contacts 31, 32 and 37 in the position into which they were put by the magnet 33 indeparts the operating current flows from the contact 17, through contact 20, wires 70, 74,

. 87 back to battery.

contacts 27, 31, 28, Wire 79, brush 45, switch flowing through the circuit of the said magmotor armature, brush 46, wires 85, 86 and 1 net 2.

The current now does not pass through the magnet 33 nor the coil 44 of the clutch, so that the clutch is deenergized and the motor armature runs free. The magnet 33 is also deenergized but the contacts 31, 32 and 37 remain in their positions as they are locked by the armature 40. The connection of the contact 23 and the contact 26 connects the middle point of the battery 1 with the brush 47, through wire 89, condenser 88 wire 54, magnet 2, wires 55, 57, contacts 13, 7, 12, operating wire 63, field coil 15, wire 65, contacts 22, 23, 26, Wires 71, 75, magnet 42, wires 81, 83, contacts 30, 32, 29 and wire 84.

One terminal of the battery may be considered positive and the other negative, and with this assumption the middle point may be considered to have zero potential. I will assume the terminal to which the wire 51 is connected to be positive, the 7 terminal to which the common wire 87 is connected to be negative and the'point to which the wire 89 is connected to be Zero. With the arrangement of the parts last described above the brush 45 is connected to the positive pole of the battery, the brush 46 is connected to the negative pole and the brush 47 to the point of zero potential through the magnet 2 and since the motor is running free the difference of potential between the brushes 45 and 46 will be nearly equal to that between the terminals of the battery. As the armature rotates and causes the segment 48 to alternately make contact with the brushes 45 and 46 the potential of the brush 47 will be alternately positive and negative. When it is positive, current will flow from the said brush 47 through the indication magnet 2 to the middle point of the battery and-when it is negative, current will flow from the middle point of the battery through the magnet 2 to the brush 47. At intermediate points of the travel of the segment 48, the differences of potential between the said segment and the brushes 45 and 46 will vary directly as the distance between the segment and the brushes respectively. When the segment is midway between the said brushes its potential will be zero, or equal to that of the middle of the battery. At this instant the electro-motive force tending to send current through the magnet 2, passes through the value zero. This alternating current energizes the indication magnet 2, causing it to unlock the lever and permit it to be moved to its full reversed position. The'indication current passes also through the magnet 42 but has no efiect on it as it is so constructed as not to respond to alternating currents.

The condenser 88 will permit alternating current to flow through the magnet 2, while it will effectually prevent, direct current The magnet 42 may be made unresponsive to alternating currents and still be responsive to direct currents whether uniform or pulsating by arming the poles of its armature with copper bands or rings. As it is well known that an alternating current magnet will repel a copper ring, the rings may be so proportioned with reference to the armature that their repulsion will be stronger than the attraction of the armature. Another means of effecting the same result is to make the armature polarized; magnetism of one sign in the magnet 42 would attract it while magnetism of the opposite sign would repel it, and the armature could be made heavy enough that an impulse of attraction would not have time to overcome its inertia before being succeeded by an impulse of repulsion.

When the lever is moved to its final position, the contact 7 is moved from the contact 13 to the contact 14. This connects the brush 47 with the negative pole of the battery through wires 87, 60, 59, contacts 14, 7, 12, operating wire 63, field coil 15, wire 65, contacts 22, 23, 26, wires 71, 75, magnet 42, wires 81, 83, contacts 30, 32, 29 and Wire 84. WVhen the brush 47 becomes positive, a strong current will fiow through the magnet 42 and when the brush is negative no current will flow. The result is a pulsating current but always in the same direction and its ef feet on the magnet 42 is the same as a uni form current of a strength equal to the average strength of the pulsating current. The magnet 42 is energized by this current and withdraws the armature 40 from the notch 39 and thus releases the contact carrier 43 to be impelled by the spring 34 which puts the contacts in the position shown in the drawing. The driving current through the motor and the current through the magnet 42 are both stopped by the separation of the contact 31 from the contacts 27 and 28.

The movement from reverse to normal is exactly like that just described. In this case the Wire 63 is the operating wire and the operating current passes through the field coil 15 which produces magnetism of the opposite sign to that produced by current through the field coil 16 and causes a reverse rotation of the'motor armature.

The current that actuates the magnet of the indication mechanism evidently comes directly from the battery, but this current is made to flow alternately in reverse or opposite directions through the said magnet, in the specific invention herein set forth, by apparatus located at or near the corresponding track switch. As the said magnet is so constructed as to respond only to alternate ing currents, it is evident that no possible condition of crossed wires could cause a false indication.

7 I do not limit myself to the eXact construction shown but may use the equivalents of the parts shown, as for instance, an induction motor would be the equivalent of the magnet 2. It is also apparent that a mechanical arrangement actuated by the switch and lock movement could be substituted for the magnet 33 for replacing the contact carrier 43.

For further and specific details of construction and arrangement of parts reference may be had to my co-pending application filed April 18th, 1904, Serial No. 203,645.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with an apparatus for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehiclesalong arailway, a source of current supply, a lever for controlling the operation of said apparatus, an indication mechanism for the lever which comprises an alternating current magnet, circuits including a source of current supply and the magnet, and means for rapidly reversing the current from the source of supply to energize the magnet to have it operate the indication mechanism.

2. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, an indicating mechanism comprising a magnet which is not responsive to the current from the source of supply, and means operated by the apparatus for modifying the current from the source of supply to which modification the magnet will respond.

3. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles alonga railway, a source of current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, an indicating mechanism comprising a magnet which is not responsive to the current from the source of supply, and means operated by the motor for modifying the current from the source of supply to which modification the magnet will respond.

4. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of cur rent supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, indication mechanism which comprises an alternating current magnet, circuits including the source of supply and the magnet, and means for rapidly reversing the current through said magnet.

5. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, a lever for controlling the supply of current to the motor, indication mechanism for the lever which comprises an alternating current magnet, circuits including the source of supply and the magnet, and means operated by the motor for causing the current from the source of supply to flow alternately in opposite directions through the magnet.

6. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, indication mechanism which comprises a magnet re sponsive to alternating current, and means for producing alternations of the current from the source of supply.

7. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a' railway, a source of current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, indication mechanism which comprises a magnet responsive to alternating current, and means for producing alternations of equal potential from the source of supply.

8. In combination with an apparatus com prising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of cur rent supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, an indicating mechanism comprising a magnet, the indication circuits which include the said magnet and the source of supply, and means for modifying the current from the source of Supply, said means comprising a collector ring carried by the armature and connected with a segment of the armature and a brush bearing on the collector ring.

I 9. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or Vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, an indicating mechanism comprising a magnet, and the indication circuits which include the said magnet, the source of supply, the two brushes of the armature, and means for modifying the current from the source, said means comprising a collector ring carried by the armature and connected with a segment of the armature and a brush bearing on the collector ring.

10. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, a lever for controlling the supply of current to the motor, an indicating mechanism for the lever comprising amagnet, the indication circuits which include the said magnet and the source of supply, and means operated from the armature of the motor for modifying the current from the source of supply and to have the modified current operate the magnet.

11. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, an indicating mechanism comprising an alternating current magnet, an indication cir-" cuit which includes a point of medial poten tial in the source of current supply, and means for connecting a point of the indication circuit alternately with the high and low potential points of the source of supply.

12. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, an indicating mechanism comprising an alter nating current magnet, the indicating circuits which include the magnet and source of current supply, and means for causing the current from the source to flow alternately in opposite directions through the magnet.

13. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor and an electromagnetic clutch for moving a part or appli ance governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, circuits extending between said source of supply and motor, comprising two operating wires and a common return, and including an electro-magnet, a lever for controlling said circuits at one point, and a circuit controller operated from the apparatus for controlling the circuits at another point, said circuit controller being adapted during one part of its operation to cut out the electro-magnetic devices and include in the operating circuit an electro-magnetic device and finally to cut out the clutch and establish the indicating circuits, a circuit controller operated by said magnetic device which establishes at the time of its operation a part of the indication circuits, and the indication circuits which include either both operating wires or an operating wire and the common return.

14. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor and an electromagnetic clutch for moving a part or appliance governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, circuits extending between said source of supply and motor, comprising two operating wires and a common return, a lever for controlling said circuits at one point, an indicating mechanism for said lever comprising a magnet, a circuit controller operated from the apparatus for controlling the circuits at another point, said circuit controller being adapted during one part of its operation to include in the operating circuit an electro-magnetic device, and finally to cut out the clutch and establish the indicating circuits, a circuit controller operated by said magnetic device which establishes at the time of its operation a part of the indication circuits, the indication circuits which include either both operating wires or an operating wire and the common return, and means operated from the motor for modifying current from the source of supply, which modified current fiows through the indication circuits and operates only the magnet of the indicating mechanism.

15. In combination with apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, the source of current supply, circuits extending between said source of supply and the motor, a lever for controlling said circuits at one point, a circuit controller 0 erated from the apparatus for controlling t e circuits at another point, an indication mechanism for said lever comprising a magnet, indication circuits between the battery and motor and which include said magnet and which are established in part by the circuit controller and lever, and means operated from the motor for modifying the current from the battery, which modified current flows through the indication circuits to operate the magnet of the indicat ing mechanism.

16. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for operating a part or appliance governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, circuits extending between said source of supply and the motor, com prising two operating wires and a common return, a lever for controlling said circuits at one point, a circuit controller operated from the apparatus for controlling the circuits at another point, an indicating mechanism for said lever comprising a magnet, indication circuits established by said circuit controller and lever which include the said source of supply and either the two operating wires or an operating wire and the common return, and means operated by the motor for modifying the current from the source of supply in said indication circuits.

17. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, circuits extending from said source of su ply to the motor and each com prising an e ectro-magnet rovided with an armature, a circuitcontrol or operated from the apparatus for opening the circuit on the electro-magnet and closing it through an electro-magnetic device which operates a circuit controller to establish in part indication circuits, said circuit controller being held in osition to establish the indication circuits by armature of electro-magnet when the electro-ma net is cut out of circuit, a lever for controlling said circuits at one point, a circuit controller operated from the apparatus for controlling the circuits at another point, an indication mechanism for the lever comprising a magnet, indication circuits comprising the magnet of the indication mechanism, the source of supply and the contacts established by the circuit controller operated by the electro-magnetic device, and means operated by the motor for modifying the current from the source of supply which current flows through the indication circuit and energizes the magnet of the indicating mechanism.

18. In combination with an apparatus for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars .or vehicles along a railway, comprising an electric motor, a source of current supply, means for controlling the supply of current to the motor, a mechanism for indicating that the part or appliance has been moved comprising "an electromagnet, and means operated by the continuous rotation of the armature after the part or appliance has been moved for producing a modilication of the current to energize the mag net and have it operate the mechanism.

19. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of current to the motor, indication mechanism which comprises an alternating current magnet, circuits including the source of current supply and the magnet, and means for rapidly reversing the current from the source of supply to energize the magnet and have it operate the indication mechanism.

20. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance controlling the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of direct or continuous current supply, a circuit controller for controlling the supply of direct current to the motor, an indicating mechanism comprising an alternating cur rent magnet, the indication circuits which include the said magnet, the source of current supply and the brushes of the motor, and means for rapidly reversing the flow of current from the source to operate the magnet, said means comprising a collector ring carried by the armature and connected with a segment of the armature and a brush bearing on the collector ring.

21. In combination with an apparatus comprising a motor for moving a part or appliance governing the passage ,of cars or vehicles along a railway, a source of current supply, operating circuits extending from the source of supply to the motor, a manually operated circuit controller, a circuit controller operated by the apparatus, an indication mechanism comprising an alternating current motor, indication circuits including the source of current supply and the alternating current motor, an electro-magnetically operated circuit controller for controlling the operating and indication circuits and means operated by the motor for rapidly reversing the current in the indication circuits.

22. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway; two sets of batteries coupled in series for supplying current to the motor an indication apparatus comprising an alternating current magnet, the said magnet having one of its terminals connected to the junction of the two sets of batteries; and means controlled by the apparatus for connecting the other terminal of the said magnet alternately with the free poles of the two sets of batteries.

23. In combination with an apparatus comprising an electric motor for moving a part or appliance governing the passage of cars or vehicles along a railway; two sets of batteries coupled in series for supplying current to the motor; an indication apparatus comprising an alternating current magnet, the said magnet having one of its terminals connected to the junction of the two sets of batteries; and means controlled by the apparatus for connecting the other terminal of the said magnet alternately with the free poles of the two sets of batteries, said means comprising a collector ring connected elec trically to one segment of the commutator of the said motor.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribed witnesses.

JOHN D. TAYLOR. Witnesses:

W. L. MoDANIEL, JAMES CHALMERs, Jr. 

